Tote box



June 29, 1954 M. LARSON ET AL TOTE BOX 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 6, 1951 INVENTORS A TTOR/VEYS Patented June 29, 1954 TOTE BOX Marvin Larson and Allan L. Stedman, Massillon, and Franklin T. Dannemiller, Canton, Ohio, assignors to Convoy, Incorporated, Canton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application February 6, 1951, Serial No. 209,654

8 Claims.

This invention relates to a receptacle and, more particularly, to a stacking receptacle of the tote box type.

Although not confined to any particular material, the receptacle of the present invention may to advantage be made from fibrous materials such, for example, as corrugated fiber board. The latter lends itself to cutting, scoring and folding in a manner permitting a receptacle to be formed from it with a minimum expenditure of time, labor and material. If desired, the stock, blank or product may be chemically impregnated, as with sulphur in a fluid state; ifso, the impregnation operation may be carried out at any convenient stage or stages in' the process of manufacture but preferably after the receptacle has been completely assembled. Sulphurimpregnated corrugated fiber board is employed in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

In recent years, corrugated fiber board has been employed in increasing amounts in the manufacture of receptacles, including stacking receptacles of the tote box type. In the latter field, earlier practice was to make the tote box of a more expensive material such as metal, wood or the like, this because of the durability of these materials; however, as techniques have been devised for manufacturing durable tote boxes out of corrugated fiber board, there has been a pronounced tendency for the latter to replace tote boxes of metal, wood, etc. This has been especially true in the case of tote boxes made of sulphur-impregnated corrugated fiber board.

One reason for this tendency has been the overall saving that is possible by using such tote boxes in lieu of prior types of tote boxes. This saving has been sufficient in many cases to bring about the use of sulphur-impregnated fiber board tote boxes on a substantial scale. Even more widespread use of corrugated fiber board tote boxes can be expected to follow as further savings become possible, as a result, for example, of cutting down the amount of material required to make such tote boxes, simplifying their construction, and reducing the operations necessary to assemble them, all without sacrificing the qualities of sturdiness, durability and resistance to the action of extraneous media such as water, oil, grease and the like.

The invention has for its principal object to provide an improved receptacle, particularly a stacking receptacleof the tote box type, that may, if desired, be constructed of corrugated fiber board. Other objects of the invention, ex-

pressed in detailed form in the description and drawings, have to do with the use in a tote box of separately applied end-pieces that provide upper and lower stacking surfaces. Still another object of the invention is to provide a tote box of this kind which, while sturdy, durable and resistant to the action of water, oil and other extraneous media of the kinds usually encountered, is made with a minimum loss of materials in cutting the blanks from the stock, is easy to assemble, and is attractive in appearance.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description which follows and from the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a development or plan of the blank used to form the tote box that is shown in various stages of assembly in Figures 4 to 3, inclusive, the portions of the blank toward the upper part of Figure 1 being those that go to form the far end of the completed tote box and the portions of the blank toward the lower part of Figure 1 being those that go to form the near end of the completed tote box. Figure 2 is a development or plan of the blank used as the endpiece at the far end of the tote box. Figure 3 is a development or plan of the blank used as the end-piece at the near end of thetote boxv Figure 4 is an isometric view showing the interior construction at the far end of the tote box after completion of the assembly operations at that end. Figures 5, 6 and 7 are isometric views showing the near end of the tote box in successive stages of assembly. Figure 8 is an isometric view of the near end of the tote box after completion of the assembly operations at the near end.

Figure 1 shows generally the blank I used to provide the bottom and the encompassing side walls of the tote box, score lines on the near side of the blank as seen in Figure 1 being represented by dot-and-dash lines and score lines on the far side of the blank as seen in Figure 1 being represented by dotted lines. In general, blank I consists of a bottom panel 2, rectangular in shape, separated by longitudinal score lines a and b, respectively, from a rectangular left side panel 3 and a rectangular right side panel 3 of the same size. Bottom panel 2 is similarly separated by transverse score lines 0 and d, respectively, from a first panel-like extension 5 of generally trapezoidal shape located at what is to be the far end of the tote box and a second panellike extension ii of the same size and shape located at what is to be the near end of the tote box. Side panels 3 and 4 and extensions 5 and 6 preferably are integral with bottom panel 2, all

of them being formed from the same piece of stock by the same operation.

In the case of each of panel-like extensions 5 and 5, the outer edge extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal central axis of bottom panel 2; that is to say, outer edge I on extension 5 and outer edge 8 on extension 6, is parallel to but longer than the transverse score lines o and d which define the corresponding ends of bottom panel 2. In the case of extension 5, non-parallel side edges 9 and Ill are of equal length. Together with outer edge '1, they define equal but opposite included angles which approach but fall a few degrees short of being right angles. At the opposite end of central panel 2, extension 5 likewise has two non-parallel side edges II and I2 which are of equal length and which, taken with edge 8, define included angles that approach but fall short of being right angles.

At what is to be the far end of the tote box, left side panel 3 has a flap-like extension I5 from which it is separated by a generally transverse but nevertheless slightly inclined score line e. As will be noted from Figure 1, at one end score line 6 is offset outwardly from score line at the corresponding end of bottom panel 2 by about one thickness of material and at its other end it is offset outwardly by a slightly greater amount. Right side panel 4 has a similar flap-like extension I5 from which it is separated by a generally transverse but slightly inclined score line 1, such score line, like score line 6, being offset outwardly and angled slightly with respect to score line c. At the ends thereof farthest removed from panellike extension 5 on bottom panel 2, flap-like extensions I5 and I6 have unbroken straight edges I? and I8 extending in parallelism to the longitudinal central axis of bottom panel 2 and at something slightly greater than right angles to score lines e and 1, respectively.

The edge of flap-like extension I5 opposite straight edge I! takes the form of a broken edge E9. The latter extends inwardly beyond score line e to a point where it may be considered as intersecting an imaginary prolongation of score line c of bottom panel 2. Similarly, flap-like extension It has a broken edge at the end opposite straight edge I8, such broken edge 20 extending inwardly beyond score line 1 to a point where it intersects an oppositely extending prolongation of score line 0. Between left-hand side edge 5 on panel-like extension 5 and broken edge IS on flap-like extension I5 on left side panel 3 is a bight 2i; similarly, a bight 22 is formed between right-hand side edge I!) at the opposite end of panel-like extension 5 and broken edge 29 on flap-like extension I5 of right side panel 4.

Between straight edge I! at the left-hand end of flap-like extension I5 and broken edge I9 at the opposite end of flap-like extension I5 is an inclined outer edge 23 interrupted by a cut-away portion 23a of a size and shape adapted to form one-half of what is to become a hand-hold in the completed tote box. Similarly, between straight edge I8 at the right-hand edge of flaplike extension I5 and broken edge 20 is an oppositely inclined outer edge 24 which is similarly interrupted by a cut-away portion 24a, likewise of a size and shape adapted to form one-half of a hand-hold. Inclined edges 23 and 24 taper inwardly from straight edges I1 and I3 toward broken edges I9 and 20, respectively. The included angles which they form with straight edges I! and I8 are less thanright anglesin each case,

being equal to each other and of the same order of magnitude as the included angles between outer edge I and side edges 9 and I0 on panellike extension 5 of bottom panel 2.

At the opposite or near ends of left side panel 3 and right side panel 4 are flap-like extensions 25 and 25, respectively. The latter are similar in every way to flap-like extensions I5 and I6. They are characterized by straight edges 21, 28, by broken edges 29, which with non-parallel side edges II and I2 on panel-like extension 6 of bottom panel 2, define the sides of bights 3I, 32, and by inclined outer edges 33, 34. They have cutaway portions 33a, 34a to constitute halves of hand-holds. Transverse score lines 9 and h are similar to, located in the same relative position as, and provided for purposes analogous to those of score lines 6 and f at the far ends of left side panel 3 and right side panel 4.

Along the outer sides of left side panel 3 and right side panel 4 are reinforcing elements 45 and 4|, respectively, the same being separated from the side panels themselves by score lines 1' and 1'. Reinforcing elements and M are narrow in relation to their lengths, being provided for the purpose of forming reinforcing cuffs at the top portions of side panels 3 and 4 when the tote box is completely assembled. Reinforcing element 40 on left side panel 3 is provided at its far end withan end tab 42 from which it is separated by a score line is; similarly, reinforcing element M on right side panel 4 is provided at its far end with an end tab 43 from which it is separated by score line Z.

End tabs 42 and 43 are formed as partial prolongations of reinforcing elements 40 and 4 I, particularly along those edges that may be said to define the extreme left-hand and right-hand sides of the blank. They are short in length, narrow in width and squared-off at their ends, but nevertheless present a tapered appearance in consequence of the fact that they are formed with inclined sides 44 and 45 where they adjoin flap-like extensions I5 and I5, from which they are separated by V-shaped bights 45 and 41, respectively. Inclined sides 44 and 45 on tabs 42 and 43, respectively, are angled in such a way as to cause the tabs to taper toward the outer ends of the tabs; i. e., away from score lines It and Z. Tabs 42 and 43 extend longitudinally of the tote box only fractionally as far as panellike extension 5 on bottom panel 2 and flap-like extensions, I5 and I 5 on left side panel 3 and right side panel 4, respectively.

At their opposite ends, reinforcing elements 40 and 4| are similarly provided with tabs 48 and 49, respectively, such tabs being separated from reinforcing elements 40 and M by score lines m and n and from flap-like extensions 25 and 26 by V-shaped bights 50 and 5I.

Figures 2 and 3 show the blanks Ia and lb used for the end pieces that are assembled with blank I of Figure 1 to form the completed tote box. Blank Ia is used at the far end of the tote box, seen in Figure 4, while blank II) is used at the near end of the tote box, seen in Figures 5 to 8, inclusive. The two blanks are identical in all important respects but are shown in Figures 2 and 3 in reverse or opposite relation to each other, this being the relation in which they are employed in assembling the tote box. In the completed tote box, corresponding parts of blanks Ia and I I) face toward each other at the same height above the common reference plane provided by bottom panel 2.

As shown in Figure 2, blank Ia for the far end aesaeea of the tote box includes a central panel 60 that is approximately square. It is provided at the proper level with a generally U-shaped cut-away portion 65 that is to form part of the hand-hold in the completed tote box. After cut-away portion ill is formed, an oblong spacer tab 62 remains in the plane of central panel Bil, being separated from the rest of central panel 6i! by score line 0. Above cut-away portion 6|; i. e., at the upper end of blank la as seen in Figure 2, central panel [it is provided with a generally trapezoidal extension 63, the latter being separated from central panel at by double score lines p. As will appear, the latter are provided to form a stacking surface at what is to be the top of central panel 60 when trapezoidal extension 63 is doubled into juxtaposition to central panel 60.

In trapezoidal extension 63, the longer of the two parallel sides of the trapezoid is formed by double score lines p. It paralleled by short side 6:3, which is of substantially the same length as outer edge 'l on panel-like extension 5 on bottom panel 2 of blank 2. The two non-parallel sides of the trapezoid, t5 and lid, converge as indicated in Figure 2 from double score lines p toward short side t l. Where they intersect short side 64, they define equal but opposite included angles that are complementary to the included angles formed in panel-like extension 5 on bottom panel 2 of blank l between outer edge 1 and non-parallel sides 8 and l t; that is to say, the angles in trapezoidal extension 63 exceed 90 by the amounts by which the angles in panel-dike extension 5 fall short of 90. Thus when the end-piece formed by blank la is incorporated in the completed tote box to give the end construction shown in Figure 4, trapezoidal extension E53 on central panel fill should register with and form a prolongation of panel-like extension 5 on bottom panel 2.

On the opposite side of central panel 6% of blank la is a generally trapezoidal extension 61 which is shallower than trapezoidal extension 63 but of substantially the same length. Trapezoidal extension S], which functions as a spacer in the completed tote box, is separated-from central panel 65 of blank la by double score lines q. The latter are provided to form a stacking surface at the bottom of central panel 60. They define the longer ofthe two parallel sides of the trapezoid. She short side paralleling them is designated Eli. Between the two parallel sides of the trapezoid are two non-parallel sides (59 and ill, which converge from score lines q toward short side 68. As appears from Figure 2 of the drawings, non-parallel sides 69 and iii are defined by broken rather than by straight lines, their convergence having its origin at points offset outwardly by a short distance from score lines q at the bottom of central panel 60.

On the left side of central panel 60 of blank la as seen in Figure 2 is a left side flap N that extends from a point near the bottom of central panel 6b to a point near the top of central panel 60 but nevertheless substantially below double score lines p. Left side flap ll is separated from central panel til of blank la by a broken score line Y that is bowed inwardly as shown in Figure 2. At what is to be its lower end, left side flap H is provided with a self-carried tab l2 that is separated from left side flap "H by double score lines s. Tab "I2 is to serve as a spacer after having been folded on double score lines s to give a broad stacking surface at the base of left" side flap ll; accordingly, its precise shape is not important. As indicated in Figure 2, it may I have a side inclined oppositely to inclined side 69 of trapezoidal extension 61 on central panel 60 of blank la, forming therewith a V-shaped bight 13.

The opposite side of central panel fill is similarly characterized by the presence of a broken score line 75, a right side flap i l, a self-carried tab 15 separated therefrom by double score lines u, and a V-shaped bight l6.

When blank la is appropriately folded and suitably fastened to the far end of the tote box being formed from blank I, it gives the interior of the tote box the appearance shown in Figure 4. Trapezoidal extension 63 mates with panellike extension 5 of bottom panel 2, the two members abutting to give a smooth interior surface to the end of the receptacle. The other principal parts of the end-piece formed from blank la are located on the outside of the tote box. The manher of assembly is analogous to that employed in the case of the end-piece formed from blank lb, which will be explained in detail. Figures .5 to 8, inclusive, show how the end-piece formed from blank lb is folded and fastened to the portions of blank I that are to form the near end of the tote box.

As shown in Figure 3, blank lb consists of a substantially square central panel I66 provided at the proper level with a U-shaped cut-away portion llil which leaves a spacer tab H52 separated by a score line 22 from the body portion of central panel Hill. As in the case of cut-away portion fil and spacer tab 62 in blank la, cut-away portion MI and spacer tab N2 are provided for the purpose of forming a hand-hold in the endpiece to be formed from blank lb. Although shown in Figure 3 near what appears to be the bottom portion of central panel Hill, cut-away portion It! and spacer tab 162 will be found near the top of the tote box when the latter is erected and assembled.

A generally trapezoidal extension its is formed on the side of central panel nearest to cutaway portion itl, such trapezoidal extension I63 being separated from central panel ltil by double score lines to which define the longer of the two parallel sides of the trapezoid. The opposite side of the trapezoid, designated I64, is the short side. The two non-parallel sides Hi5 and [66 taper at equal but opposite angles from double score lines w toward short side lfi l. At what appears in Figure 3 to be the top but is actually to become the bottom of central panel I66 is generally trapezoidal extension lt'l similar to trapezoidal extension lli'l on blank la. Like the latter, it is shallow compared to the trapezoidal extension on theopposite side of the central panel. The longer of the two parallel sides of trapezoidal extension lEl is formed by double score lines in. The two non-parallel sides its and I'll] are actually broken lines which taper from double score lines :2 toward short side lfit.

Separated from central panel lfii'l of blank lb by the broken scoreline y is left side iiap ill. The latter has a self-carried tab l'l separated therefrom by double score lines as. A generally V-shaped bight H3 is formed between tab l'll? and side l69 of trapezoidal extension ifi'l on central panel Hill. On the opposite side of central panel [66 from left side flap ill and separated from the central panel by a broken score line 2 is right side nap I'M, the same being provided with a self-carried tab H5 separated from right side flap M4 by double score lines bb. A bight I16 intervenes between tab I15 and side I10 on trapezoidal extension I61. Right side flap I14, like left side fiap I'II, extends from the double score lines bb at the base of the tab I15 to a point short of the side of central panel I60 delineated by double score lines w.

The manner of forming the end-pieces out of blanks Ia and lb and assembling them with blank I obviously may be varied within very wide limits. In some circumstances, preferred procedure may contemplate folding all blanks initially along their lesser score lines, as, for example, folding blank Ib on the score lines ac and bb, which respectively separate tabs I12 and H from left side flap Ill and right side flap I14, and on the score line 12 separating spacer tab I62 from central panel I60. In the case of blank I, such preferred procedure may contemplate the initial folding of reinforcing elements 40 and II on score lines i and a, respectively. However, for convenience in illustrating the invention in the drawings, a somewhat different sequence of operation is assumed in the case of blank I, as will appear. Inasmuch as the order in which the various steps are performed is not controlling, the sequence illustrated in the drawings or some other suitable sequence can be employed, as may be desired.

In assembling the parts at the near end of the tote box, which is what is illustrated in Figures 5 to 8, inclusive, it is assumed that left side panel 3 and right side panel 4 of blank I are first raised to the upright position shown in Figure 5 by folding blank I on score lines a and b, respectively, and that thereafter panel-like extension 6 on bottom panel 2 is raised to a vertical position between them by folding blank I on score line (1.

This having been done, reinforcing elements 40 and M are folded outward and downward along score lines i and 7', respectively, thus doubling reinforcing elements 60 and M against left side panel 3 and right side panel 4 and simultaneously doubling tabs 43 and 49 against flap-like extensions 25 and 26, respectively. Having been brought into this position, the parts are then fastened in place by some suitable means, as, for example, by steel staples, glue or the like. Once the parts have been fastened in place, reinforcing elements 66 and ll will constitute external cuffs extending from end to end along the side walls of the tote box.

Following these steps, flap-like extensions 25 and 26 are folded inward on score lines g and h (Figures 1 and 5) until they mate on the near side of panel-like extension 6 of bottom panel 2: at this stage, the near end of the incompletely assembled tote box presents the appearance shown in Figure 6 in which panel-like extension 6 is largely concealed behind flap-like extensions 25 and 26.

If, as assumed, blank lb for the end-piece at the near end of the tote box has in the meanwhile been folded and fastened to the extent shown in Figure 6, as by stapling or otherwise fastening tabs I62, I12 and I15 to central panel I60, left side flap Ill and right side flap I14, respectively, the next step is to assemble such end-piece with the incompletely assembled tote box. To this end, the generally trapezoidal extension I6'I, which has been partially folded along double score lines :0 but not stapled or otherwise fastened to central panel I60, is inserted upwardly between panel-like extension 6 of bottom panel 2 and flap-like extensions 26 and 26. Thereafter further folding along score lines a: so as to double central panel I60 against flap-like extensions 25 and 26 gives rise to the arrangement of parts shown in Figure '7, in which trapezoidal extension I63 on central panel I60 projects vertically upward and left side flap Ill and right side flap I'M project laterally from central panel I60.

Trapezoidal extension I63 is then folded inward and downward about double score lines 11), thus doubling it against the inside surface of flap-like extensions 25 and 26. Assuming reasonable accuracy of cutting and folding, short side I64 of trapezoidal extension I63 should mate exactly with short side 8 of panel-like extension 6 of bottom panel 2 while fold lines to on the inside of the end-piece so formed should exactly overlie the straight upper edges 21 and 28 of flaplike extensions 25 and 25, respectively. If so, central panel I60, flap-like extensions 25 and 26, and panel-like extension 6 of bottom panel 2 may be stapled, glued or otherwise fastened together, preferably by means of a double row of staples Ill.

The final steps remaining to be performed are folding left side flap Ill and right side flap I14 along score lines y and z, doubling them into contact with left side panel 3 and right side panel 4, and stapling, gluing or otherwise fastening them in place, giving the tote box the appearance indicated in Figures 4 and 8.

By virtue of the presence in blanks Ia and lb of double score lines p and w along the long sides of generally trapezoidal extensions 63 and I63 and of double score lines q and .7: along the long sides of generally trapezoidal extensions 67 and I67, relatively wide stacking surfaces I and I8I (Figure 8) are provided at the upper and lower portions of the two end-pieces. If, as assumed, the parts are stapled together by a double row of staples I '1'! as indicated in Figure 8, a desirable outward bowing of lower stacking surfaces I8I develops with use, thus increasing the ease of stacking and the stability of the stack. The presence behind left side panels II and I'll of tabs I2 and I12 and the presence behind right side panels 14 and I14 of tabs 15 and H5 has the effect of spacing the side flaps from the sides of the tote box, thereby providing at each end lateral stacking surfaces similar to that indicated at I82 in Figure 8: such lateral stacking surfaces are in effect continuations of lower stacking surfaces I8I.

The trapezoidal shapes of panel-like extensions 5 and 6 on bottom panel 2, flap-like extensions I5 and I6, taken together, flap-like extensions 25 and 26, taken together, and extensions 63 and I63 on central panels 60 and I60, along with the type of fold provided by score lines r and t on the endpiece at the far end and score lines y and e on the end-piece at the near end give a, tote box which as seen in transverse cross-section tapers slightly from top to bottom. This makes for nesting of the bottom portion of an upper tote box within the top portion of a lower tote box. Such nesting is limited as to its extent by the fact that lower stacking surfaces I8I and I82, which in a typical case may be about A; inch above the bot tom of the tote box, come into contact with upper stacking surfaces I80 characterizing the top portion of the lower tote box.

A hand-hold that does not extend all the way through the end of the tote box is provided at the near end by registry of cut-out portion I6I on central panel I60 with cut-out portions 33a and 34a of flap-like extensions 25 and 26, respectively. Because trapezoidal extension I63 of central panel ISO is intact, having no such cutout portions, the smooth interior surface of the tote box presents a barrier to escape of small parts through the hand-hold. If desired, however, a registering cut-out portion can readily be provided in trapezoidal extension I63, thus giving a hand-hold extending all the way through the end of the tote box. A like state of affairs obtains at the opposite or far end of the tote box.

, A tote box so made up is characterized by folded edges rather than raw edges along most of its major dimensions. If, as may advantageously be the case, the tote box is made of corrugated fiber board, the corrugations are not in general exposed and, where revealed, appear for the most part in transverse cross-section, particularly if the corrugations in the end-pieces and side walls extend vertically. If, as is pref-erred, the corrugations do extend vertically in the end-pieces, accuracy of scoring and folding is facilitated: this advantage is of great practical importance in View of the fact that the end-pieces provide the stacking surfaces for the tote box. The corrugations may, however, run in any desired direction. If, for example, the tote box is to be chemically impregnated, as with sulphur, the corrugations in the body of the tote box can to advantage run transversely of the tote box as indicated in the'cut-away areas in Figures 1, 4 and 5.

It is apparent that numerous changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and it is intended that the patent shall cover, by summarization in the appended claims, whatever features of patentable novelty reside in the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A stacking receptacle of the tote box type comprising a bottom panel; side panels formed integrally with the bottom panel, said side panels extending upward from the bottom panel to form the side walls of the receptacle; cuff-like reinforcing elements at the tops of the side panels, said reinforcing elements being located externally of the side panels and having tabs at the ends thereof projecting into and forming part of the ends of the receptacle; flap-like extensions at the ends of the side panels, the flap-like extensions at each end of the receptacle projecting toward and mating with each other behind the tabs; an extension on the bottom panel at each of the ends of the bottom panel, said extensions projecting upward back of the flap-like extensions on the side panels; and, mating with the upper edges of said upwardly projecting extensions inside the receptacle, separate end-pieces extending upward toward the inside top of the receptacle, across the top of the receptacle in a manner such as to form smooth upwardly facing stacking surfaces. and thence downward outside the tabs to a point a short distance above the bottom of the receptacle, said end-pieces being reversely folded at a point above the bottom of the receptacle to form smooth shoulders providing wide downwardly facing stacking surfaces extending from side to side across the ends of the receptacle.

2. A stacking receptacle of the tote box type comprising a bottom panel; side panels formed integrally with the bottom panel, said side panels extending upward from the bottom panel to form the side walls of the receptacle; cuff-like reinforcing elements at the tops of the side panels, said reinforcing elements being located externally of the side panels; flap-like extensions at the ends of the side panels, the flap-like extensions at each end of the receptacle projecting toward and mating with each other; an extension on the bottom panel at each of the ends of the bottom panel, said extensions projecting upward back of the flap-like extensions on the side panels; and, mating with the upper edges of said upwardly projecting extensions inside the receptacle, separate end-pieces extending upward toward the inside top of the receptacle, across the top of the receptacle in a manner such as to form smooth upwardly facing stacking surfaces, and thence downward on the opposite side of the flaplike extensions on the side panels to a point a short distance above the .bottom of the receptacle, said end-pieces being reversely folded at a point above the bottom of the receptacle to form smooth shoulders providing wide downwardly facing stacking surfaces extending from side to side across the ends of the receptacle.

3. A stacking receptacle of the tote box type comprising a bottom panel; side panels formed integrally with the bottom panel, said side panels extending upward from the bottom panel to form the side walls of the receptacle; cuff-like reinforcing elements toward the top of said side panels; flap-like extensions at the ends or" the side panels, the flap-like extensions at each end of the receptacle projecting toward and mating with each other; an extension on the bottom panel at each of the ends of the bottom panel, said extensions projecting upward back of the flap-like extensions on the side panels; and, mating with the upper edges of said upwardly projecting extensions inside of the receptacle, separate end-pieces extending upward toward the inside top of the receptacle, across the top of the receptacle in a manner such as to form smooth upwardly facing stacking surfaces, and thence downward on the opposite side of the flap-like extensions on the side panels to a point a short distance above the bottom of the receptaclasaid end pieces being reversely folded at a point above the bottom of the receptacle to form smooth shoulders providing wide downwardly facing stacking surfaces extending from side to side across the ends of the receptacle.

4. A stacking receptacle of the tote box type comprising a bottom panel; side panels formed integrally with the bottom panel, said side panels extending upward from the bottom panel to form the side walls of the receptacle; flap-like extensions at the ends of the side panels, the flap-like extensions at each end of the receptacle projecting toward and mating with each other; an extension on the bottom panel at each of the ends of the bottom panel, said extension projecting upward back of the flap-like extensions on the side panels; and, mating with the upper edges of said upwardly projecting extensions inside the receptacle, separate end-pieces extending upward toward the inside top of the receptacle, across the top of the receptacle in a manner such as to form smooth upwardly facing stacking surfaces, and thence downward on the opposite side of the flap-like extensions on the side panels to a point a short distance above the bottom of the receptacle, said end-pieces being reversely folded at a point above the bottom of the receptacle to form smooth shoulders. providing wide downwardly facing stacking surfaces extending from side to side across the ends of the receptacle.

5. A stacking receptacle of the tote box type comprising a bottom panel; side panels formed integrally with the bottom panel, said side panels extending upward from the bottom panel to form the side walls of the receptacle; flap-like extensions at the ends of the side panels, the flap-like extensions at each end of the receptacle projecting toward and mating with each other; an extension on the bottom panel at each of the ends of the bottom panel, said extensions projecting upward inside the receptacle; and, mating with the upper edges of said upwardly projecting extensions, separate end-pieces extending upward toward the inside top of the receptacle, across the top of the receptacle in a manner such as to form smooth upwardly facing stacking surfaces, and thence downward on the opposite side of the flaplike extensions on the side panels to form stacking means at a point a short distance above the bottom of the receptacle, the downwardly extending portions of said end pieces having thereon integrally formed side flaps which are attached to the side walls of the receptacle and which when so attached form correspondingly positioned stacking means a short distance above the bottom of said side walls.

6. A stacking receptacle of the tote box type comprising a bottom panel; side panels formed integrally with the bottom panel, said side panels extending upward from the bottom panel to form the side Walls of the receptacle; extensions at the ends of the side panels, the extensions at each end of the receptacle projecting toward each other; a panel-like extension on the bottom panel at each of the ends of the bottom panel, said panel-like extensions projecting upward inside the receptacle; and, mating with the upper edges of said upwardly projecting panel-like extensions, separate end-pieces extending upward toward the inside top of the receptacle, across the top of the receptacle in a manner such as to form smooth upwardly facing stacking surfaces, and thence downward on the opposite side of the extensions on the side panels to form stacking means at a point a short distance above the bottom of the receptacle, the downwardly extending portions of said end pieces having thereon integrally formed side flaps which are attached to the side walls of the receptacle and which when so attached form correspondingly positioned stacking means a short distance above the bottom of said side walls.

7. A stacking receptacle of the tote box-type comprising a bottom panel; panels extending upward from the bottom panel to form' the side walls of the receptacle; extensions at the ends of the side panels, the extensions at each end of the receptacle projecting toward each other; a

panel-like member extending upward inside the receptacle at each of the ends of the bottom panel; and, complementing said panel-like members, separate end-pieces extending upward from the upper edges of and in the same plane as said panel-like members to the inside top of the receptacle, across the top of the receptacle in a manner such as to form smooth upwardly facing stacking surfaces, and thence downward on the opposite side of the extensions on the side panels to form stacking means at a point a short distance above the bottom of the receptacle, the downwardly extending portions of said end pieces having thereon integrally formed side flaps which are attached to the side walls of the receptacle and which when so attached form correspondingly positioned stacking means a short distance above the bottom of said side walls.

8. A stacking receptacle of the tote box type comprising a bottom panel; panels extending upward from the bottom panel to form the side walls of the receptacle; a panel-like member extending upward inside the receptacle at each of the ends of the bottom panel; and, complementing said panel-like members, separate end-pieces extending upward from the upper edges of and in the same plane as said panel-like members to the inside top of the receptacle, across the top of the receptacle in a manner such as to form smooth upwardly facing stacking surfaces, and thence downward to form stacking means at a point a short distance above the bottom of the receptacle, the downwardly extending portions of said end pieces having thereon integrally formed side flaps which are attached to the side walls of the receptacle and which when so attached form correspondingly positioned stacking means a short distance above the bottom of said side walls.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,631,521 Crowell June 7, 1927 2,111,376 Van Wingen Mar. 15, 1938 2,122,654 Nickerson July 5, 1938 2,269,247 Borah Jan. 7, 1942 2,297,941 Cleary Oct. 6, 1942 2,326,281 Becker Aug. 10, 1943 2,326,926 Bureau Aug. 17, 1943 2,409,673 Glascoff Oct. 22, 1946 2,517,080 Buhrmaster Aug. 1, 1950 2,573,706 Grant Nov. 6, 1951 

